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I recently found a biography of Joseph Smith Sr. (father of the prophet Joseph Smith)
that had some interesting stories in it, one of which was an account of a dream
that he had in Lebanon, New Hampshire in 1811:

I thought I was traveling in an open,
desolate field, which appeared to be very barren. As I was thus traveling, the
thought suddenly came to me that I had better stop and reflect upon what I was
doing before I went any further. So I asked myself, “What motive can I have in
traveling here, and what place can this be?” My guide, who was by my side, as
before, said, “This is the desolate world, but travel on.” The road was so
broad and barren, that I wondered why I should travel in it; for said I to
myself, “Broad is the road and wide is the gate, that leads to death, and many
there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and strait is the gate that
leads to everlasting life, and few there be that go in thereat.” Traveling a
short distance further, I came to a narrow path. This path I entered, and when
I had traveled a little way in it, I beheld a beautiful stream of water, which
ran from the east to the west. Of this stream I could see neither the source
nor the mouth; but as far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope, running
along the bank of it, about as high as a man could reach, and beyond me, was a
low, but very pleasant valley, in which stood a tree, such as I had never seen
before. It was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder
and admiration. Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat like an
umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape much like a chestnut bur, and
as white as snow, or, if possible, whiter. I gazed upon the same with
considerable interest, and as I was doing so, the burs or shells commenced
opening and shedding their particles, or the fruit which they contained, which
was of dazzling whiteness. I drew near, and began to eat of it, and I found it
delicious beyond description. As I was eating, I said in my heart, “ I cannot
eat this alone, I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with
me.” Accordingly, I went and brought my family which consisted of my wife and
seven children, and we all commenced eating, and praising God for this
blessing. We were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be
expressed. While thus engaged, I beheld a spacious building standing opposite
the valley which we were in, and it appeared to reach to the very heavens. It
was full of doors and windows, and they were all filled with people, who were
very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley, under the
tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of
disrespect and contempt. But their contumely we utterly disregarded. I presently
turned to my guide, and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit that was so
delicious. He told me that it was the pure love of God, shed abroad in the
hearts of all those who love him, and keep his commandments. He then commanded
me to go and bring the rest of my children. I told him that we were all there.
“No,” he replied, “look yonder, you have two more, and you must bring them
also.” Upon raising my eyes, I saw two small children, standing some distance
off. I immediately went to them, and brought them to the tree; upon which they
commenced eating with the rest, and we all rejoiced together. The more we ate,
the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down on our knees, and scooped
it up, eating it by double handfuls. After feasting in this manner a short
time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious building which I
saw. He replied, “It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall. The people in
the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and despise the
Saints of God, because of their humility.” I soon awoke, clapping my hands
together for joy.(Joseph Smith, Sr.: First
Patriarch to the LDS Church, Appendix II,
p228-229)

It is amazing to me how similar this dream of Joseph Smith
Sr’s corresponds with Lehi’s dream as recorded in the Book of Mormon.And to think he had this when his son Joseph Smith Jr. was
about six years old…

Can you imagine what Joseph Smith Sr. must have thought and felt
when he read the printed Book of Mormon for the first time and discovered a
dream very similar to his had been dreamt and recorded by the ancient prophet
Lehi?What a confirmation of faith
that must have been. (What would
it be like to have one of your dreams canonized like that?) And too, it would
seem to locate Joseph Smith Sr. at the beginning of a new gospel dispensation,
just as Lehi was the beginning of whole new offshoot of Israel.

I think there are a few principles that can be distilled
from this.

First, that the Lord can give visions in dreams to those
whom he chooses.

Second, that the Lord can give similar dreams to different
people.

Third, the Lord has ways of preparing His servants (and even
their relatives) for what is He is going to do, even years before it happens.

2
comments:

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things; and bring to your remembrance all the things that I said to you.

The word remembrance in that scripture implies that “all things” include those lessons, and promises and commission of callings made pre-mortally, will have an opportunity to be brought to the forefront of our understanding as the Lord sees fit, through the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of prophecy.

2 Corinthians 13:1 this is the third time I am coming to you. ……In the mouth of two or three witness shall every word be established.

2Nephi 29:8 wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

Habakkuk 2: And the Lord answered me, and said Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it.

But even on a small level, I see this trend in some of the blogs I read, where the theme or thread is “running” along the same lines, even to the point of subject matter is verbatim. Is this a coincidence? I don’t think so, when two or more bloggers, are united in my name, there will I (Jesus Christ) be also. So I am always bolstered in hope, that our faith is not in vain, our need to testify is not in vain.Thank you Micheala, keep up the good work

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About Me

Michaela Stephens

Arizona, United States

I'm a happily married 32-year old who switched from Electronic Engineering Technology to Literature, Writing, and Film.
I worked for 3 years at ASU as a writing tutor and have over 400 sessions worth of experience helping people with their writing.
I'm the oldest of seven children (5 boys, 2 girls)
I'm a bit of a neat freak and an undeniable bookworm.

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